Hank Snow - Would You Mind? (2021)

Then still known as 'Hillbilly', a surprising amount of American country music was issued in the UK in the early 1950s. Most of the major US artists of the period saw a handful of releases here, at the very least. Canadian Hank Snow represented 'The Liverpool Sound' (as in his home town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia!) a decade before four Liverpudlians of a different kind shook up the world of music.

There have been numerous compilations of Hank's vintage recordings in the CD era, of course, however this set offers the listener a new spin on a familiar theme. That being so…

This compilation brings together the A and B side of every Hank Snow 45 and 78 that appeared on His Master's Voice in the UK between 1950 and 1956. Some were manufactured for domestic sale, others for export to European territories. All could be ordered from your friendly local record dealer, back in the day.

Included among the tracks are several of Hank's all-time greatest hits. He was at his peak as a singer and artist during the years covered by this collection, as can be heard from his original compositions 'I'm Movin' On', 'The Rhumba Boogie' and 'The Golden Rocket' - to name just a few - and his original hit versions of 'I Don't Hurt Anymore' and 'A Fool Such As I'. There are also examples here of the many Christian gospel recordings Hank made, frequently with accompaniment from the world famous Jordanaires. As a collection that illustrates the evolution of 1950s country, it's very hard to beat and impossible to fault.

As always, remastered from the best possible sources and featuring a comprehensive biography, this new Jasmine project puts some seriously important music into a true historical perspective and gives the country connoisseur a chance to enjoy some of the best vintage recordings from the prime of an incomparable artist.